There are books that stay with us for a long time and there are books turned into films that stay with us forever.

Unless it’s a well-known author or a New York best-selling book, we are hardly ever aware that the movie that we loved watching was based on an amazing book.

Although books have their own place in the hearts of people across the globe, sometimes, movies based on them turn out to be so unbelievably good & make us wonder.

We had a few such movies on our mind and recently we discovered a few more which we had NO idea about the fact they were based on some books!

So here we are to share them with you too!

Shrek (2001)

While introducing this film here we wonder – is there even a person on this planet who has not watched Shrek yet?

This animated comedy film released in 2001 based on the 1990 fairytale picture book is probably the most sensational film Hollywood has ever produced! Probably the film that introduced Hollywood to the kids who never watched it. 

Sure the book is fun but the rollercoaster ride the film takes its audience on is just unmatched. Seeing the angry Shrek falling in love with the princess, the mischiefs of the Donkey that make us go ROFL and many such scenes are best enjoyed only visually as a film!

Forrest Gump

The fact that most of us never had an idea that this beautiful Oscar-winning film is based on a book is the biggest testimony that how the film totally outperformed the book.

While all characters played their role effortlessly well, we believe, if this film had to be made, it was for Tom Hanks to portray the role of Forrest Gump as amazingly as he did and leave a powerful message for the world.

As one of its dialogue says, “Life is like a box of chocolates.”, we feel that this movie is like a box of beautiful life lessons.

3 Idiots

Although Chetan Bhagat is a celebrated author in India today, when 3 Idiots came out back in 2009, nobody had a slight idea that this mind boggling movie is based on his novel ‘Five Point Someone’.

The magical director of Bollywood Rajkumar Hirani did a fantastic job turning it into a film that broke records worldwide.

The way it narrated the tale of Friendship & the societal pressure a student faces under an Indian Education System, the youth of the country could relate their heart out with the film and the characters. Even 12 years later today, the film is just equally popular and watched by everyone with the same enthusiasm.

The Perks of Being A Wallflower

The award-winning book ‘The Perks of Being A Wallflower’ by Stephen Chbosky was transformed into a movie 13 years later and won even bigger recognition.

It perfectly depicts the emotions a shy teenager goes through when he enters high school. The film gives many moments where we feel a strong relatability with the scene and yet feel how we could never express it ourselves enough.

With gorgeous cinematography, the movie has brilliantly touched upon dark topics while it also managed to tickle our funny bones.

Totally a must-watch novel-turned-movie if you haven’t yet!

Kai Po Che

Yet another Chetan Bhagat authored book (3 Mistakes of My Life) turned into a film!

This 2013 release film was the late superstar Sushant Singh Rajput’s debut film which helped him kickstart his entry into Bollywood.

A movie with a talented star cast, appealing storyline and the perfect tone for expressing every incident, Kai Po Che truly stands out from every Bollywood movie out there.

The immeasurable joys and lessons this friendship trio take us through is the no.1 reason to watch Kai Po Che on a screen.

That’s what our top list looks like! Is there a film that we seemed to have missed out on? Do share it in the comments below!

With no news about when movie theatres are going to be reopened, we know it’s hard to wait to finally catch up on movies on the big screen.

However, did you know that you get just as good of an experience on Lumina Screens?

Our audience says they feel they’re not at home but at their favourite theatre while watching movies on Lumina Screens. The only missing factor is…umm..the Popcorn. If you can arrange for that, well, there’s nothing like that!

If you’re someone who is ready to go that extra mile and create the best home theatre set-up one can ask for, this blog post is exclusively for you!

Unlike old times, today is the time when everyone wants to stand out with their home theatre setup and get that theatre-like experience at home. From the ambiance to layout, people love to have a customized experience.

But, what does it take to create such a setup? How to get ideas to do something unique?

Let’s look into some trending and quirky ways people love to design their home theatre setup!

Cuddle Seats..Sleek Seats..Sofa Bed – what do you prefer?

Cuddle Seats bring you that extra comfort on cozy movie nights and make you feel the warmth.

As classy as Sleek seats look, they equally provide for relaxation as they give you that extended leg area.

Sofa beds give you the comfort to use as a Sofa when you just want to chill and watch the movie…as well as when you want to rest with those extra pillows and watch the movie.

What seems the best for you?

Do you like the entrance that’s dominated by your favorite movie/show/game posters?

Nobody likes to enter their home theatre setup room in a boring way. Maybe you could have some of your favorite avengers displayed there?

Hide the audio devices in style!

Sometimes, the home theatre comes with custom speaker grills that conveniently hide the speakers behind a beautiful design. And no, they don’t affect the sound quality.

You decide the feel of your room!

Once you decide on the ‘theme’, whether you want to keep it Traditional, Modern, Stylish, Cozy or the cinema or web-series look, you can decide on every element of the room (seating, lighting, positioning) in a way that it aligns with the theme.

For instance, if you wish to keep the theme cinema style and stylish, you can tag the sleek sofas for the set-up. 

On the other hand, if you wish to keep it cozy with fancy elements, you can do those avenger posters at the entrance and tag the cuddle sofas for the setup.

So, what’s your type?

What’s your Lighting Mood?

Now, just like your layout, your lighting will decide the mood you want to maintain in your home theatre setup room.

One of the ideas is fascinating ceiling lighting like this one below!

Outdoor theatre setup!

Who doesn’t like watching movies under the wide sky full of stars?

Nothing beats an intimate movie night with friends on weekends and an outdoor home theatre setup will make it even more amazing!

Never done this setup earlier? We wrote a blog post explaining the same here.

Creating your home theatre setup in the basement & turning it into a multiple-use room!

Don’t have a separate room for your home theatre setup but have a basement? Perfect, use it! You can absolutely transform that old rusty space into an unbelievably beautiful setup!

Just look at this picture below.

Paint it with beautiful colours, install sound-absorbing carpets, furnish it well, make the provision for all the elements you wish to put up there!

In fact, if arranged well, you can make it a multi-use room which can act as a home theatre room, library, office cabin and much more.

Use discreet tubing to hide wires cleanly!

You don’t want those wires and cables sneaking out from everywhere and disturbing the movement of people. Even if it doesn’t disturb anything, you would love to keep it out of sight to give a clean look to the setup.

Last but not the least –

Choose a good projection screen!

This is probably the quickest hack to make your setup 100x likeable, better & modern. 

It will not matter if you implement 10 other ideas but not have the most basic thing to have in a home theatre set up – A great home theatre projection screen!

If you’re looking to get that immersive experience, great compatibility, most enhanced wide-angle view and an incredible HD experience, this is where you need to find your next screen: Lumina Screens.

Liked these ideas? Share them with a friend you think will benefit from the post.

Are you someone whose screen time is very high?

Are you someone who is addicted to watching content or playing games on your smart TV?

Are you someone who frequently faces burnout due to your screen time?

If you answer any of these as ‘Yes’, this is the blog post written especially for you!

We will help you understand how the modern lights are affecting your Eyesight & what you can do about it.

In this particular part, we will dive deep into understanding how the blue light produced by LED/Mobile Screens affect your eyes and what is the best step you can take right away to protect your eye health.

Let’s get straight into it! 

Different effects of blue light produced by LED Screens / Mobile Screens.

This is something that’s experienced globally – Parents scolding kids for sitting too close to the television.

It’s only when we become adults and start using technology and gadgets excessively as a part of our routine, we realize how our parents did the right thing by warning us in advance.

However, by the time this realization hits, it’s usually too late and we already start experiencing the effects of the ‘Blue Light’ produced by LED Screens & our Laptop-Mobile screens.

This blue light is nothing but the direct light that reaches our eyes as it is and in its most dangerous form through Televisions, Laptops, Desktops & Mobile Phones.

It has a very high amount of energy and it’s the same light that we receive from the Sun. However, the way we absorb it from the Sun is on a healthier part. On the other hand, the way we receive it from these gadgets is what leads to various eye health issues and a disruptive sleep cycle.

And this is something that has been the point of worry for scientists and leading health practitioners as well.

Some of its serious downsides include:

• Macular degeneration
• Damage of retina to the point of going blind 
• Disturbed sleep cycle

As kids are born, their eyes are not designed to look directly at this light, but through the reflected light. However, from day 1 we get exposed to some or the other form of the LED light. Just look around your home and you will find numerous ways through which we put our eyes into this trouble.

The bad news is – it’s only going to get worse as we live in a world where our livelihood is dependent on how long we sit in front of these screens and work. And not just adults, even kids from a very young age are falling prey to the bad effects of the blue light.

But how to avoid the blue light when we are not working but using it as a form of entertainment?

Have you ever noticed that a lot of times we switch to our smart TVs to take a break from our laptop, desktop or mobile phones but rather end up feeling even more frustrated?

There’s itching in our eyes…

Irritation due to the volume…

Headache if we watch it for long hours…

If that’s something you regularly experience, it’s high time you switch to projector screens.

Projector Screens, unlike smart TVs, do not have direct light but the reflected light that travels through various surfaces before reaching your eyes. 

Today, when movie theatres are closed, we tend to binge-watch movies either on our smart TVs or our laptops. Even worse, our mobile phones. The amount of exposure our eyes get throughout this is worrisome and carries the potential to damage your eyesight seriously in the long run.

If that’s not something you would want to experience, there’s no other way but projectors that will not just help you have a safer experience but also provide you with:

A bigger screen size: A bigger screen means lesser focus needed to understand the content you’re watching. 

Theatre-like experience at home: It’s no surprise here that projector screens truly give you that immersive experience you must be craving for right now since the theatres are closed.

Multiple uses: Want to turn your screen into an outdoor home theatre set up? Call your friends right away and get on to it. (here’s where we shared how you can do that – https://luminascreens.com/how-to-create-an-outdoor-home-theatre-setup/)

Sound experience at its best: The brilliant sound quality of home theatre will make you forget there’s a world outside.

And SO MUCH MORE!

Check out the best options of projection screens for your home theatre set up here: https://luminascreens.com/

We hope this blog post helped you understand the lesser-known facts about blue light & its effects. Do help us spread this awareness to your friends & family too by sharing this post with them!

If there’s anything on your mind about this topic you need answers to, feel free to drop it in the comments below and we will be happy to help!

Home theatre wiring is like the veins in a human body. Just the way veins in our body transfer oxygen-depleted blood towards our heart, the wiring of Home Theatre (or any for that matter) make sure to keep the current going from one element to another to indeed make you enjoy your Home Theatre experience to the fullest.

We understand that this might be a daunting task, but let us relieve you by disclosing the fact that in most cases, the wirings will come with a manual which will have exact instructions on how you need to connect the correct wires and match the terminals. Also, the wires are usually labelled as to where they are supposed to be inserted.

They might be just lying on the floor or hanging on the walls somewhere or maybe even hidden under the carpet but they still remain to be a very important part of the home theatre set up and hence we thought, it’s important to introduce you to this family of cable wires.

Let’s cover some of the most common audio and video wirings.

HDMI

The standard cable connection for connecting devices like TVs, projectors, desktops, laptops, etc. It helps you to transfer audio and video from high definition input devices. As the full form of this acronym typically indicates – High Definition Multimedia Interface.

DVI

Digital Video Interface (DVI) wiring allows you to send high-resolution videos, particularly used for projectors and computers. There are 2 types of DVIs that you can use; such as DVI-D (sends digital signals), DVI-A (sends analog signals) & DVI-I (sends both signals). You can check which one you require for your home theatre set up and buy accordingly.

Component

They are found in a set of 3 wires – red, blue and green one and you need to connect them as per the colour shown on the device you’re connecting it with. This is the most commonly used wire if you don’t have HDMI or DVI with you. They help you deliver analog video signals from sources like DVD players or blue rays to TVs, Projection Screens.

Composite

This wiring is not so popular for home theatre setups. It’s old technology and is being replaced completely by the component video cables. You might want to use it only when you need to transmit any video from older devices like VCRs.

VGA 

If you don’t have HDMI or DVI, this is the third-best wiring you can use to transmit video from your computer/laptop to TVs/Home Theatre Screens. You can receive an analog RGB signal from devices with high-standard signals. Please note that it doesn’t support transmitting audio signals.

Optical audio

These wirings can support up to 5.1 surrounds sound transmission to home theatres. It is one of the most popularly used connections for sending digital audio signals. They may not support high-resolution audio files and use laser light to transmit digitally between devices. A potential benefit of optical connections is that they won’t be affected by electromagnetic interference.

Speaker wire

They come in different gauges like thick wires & thin wires. Most of the time they don’t come paired with speakers hence you will have to buy them separately.  They are used to connect the amplifier to a stereo or surround sound system, whichever you opt for. Being said that, they work better for high-power and low-impedance systems.

Stereo RCA

Fun fact: RCA stands for the Radio Corporation of America and they were first used by this institute itself. Being a common connection for transferring analog 2-channel audio, RCA wires typically come in color combinations like White & Red/Black. It can connect a wide range of devices such as stereos, speakers, camcorders to your projection screen.

Coaxial Audio

Coaxial Audio wires allow you to transfer high-quality audio as well as video signals between a short distance. For its ability to transfer high-quality, it’s an amazing pick for exciting movie buffs as well as home theatre owners. Also, they are very easy to install!

Which connections should they use as per the audio & video classification?

From the above descriptions of these wirings, you must have gotten a brief idea of what these cable wires are to be used for. 

If we have to segregate these types, they could be into 3:

• Audio only
• Video only
• Audio & Video

Audio & Video Cables: HDMI

Audio only cables: Optical Audio, Coaxial Audio, Stereo RCA, Multi-channel RCA, Mini Stereo Jack

Video only cables: DVI, Component, Composite, VGA

Now that you know this, you need to figure which connections you have on your devices and connect accordingly.

Final thoughts!

• Get to know your cable connections very well before you even buy them. Also, understand your home theatre devices as well as the hardware.
• If you do not plan on using connectors (although it’s recommended), then you should get wire strippers. Take off approximately 1cm of insulation from each end and twist the strands so they remain tight and together. 
• If the wires can be hidden somewhere under the carpet or anywhere, do it so that they remain safe from anyone tripping over them. Also, this is for your safety too as you won’t be in close touch with them.

We hope this blog post sheds light on introducing the home theatre wiring to you. If you still have any questions, comment below!

What does the wiring setup look like?

If we ask, what is the one thing you watch movies for?

It wouldn’t come as a surprise if you reply – Story! Because that’s what everyone’s top priority is. But what if we share with you some movies whose visuals are just as appealing (if not more) as the storyline is!

Movies are indeed a powerful medium to witness visual storytelling!

Sometimes, we fail to acknowledge how gorgeous the visuals of some movies could be and how they make for a very meaningful addition to the story!

And let us tell you some movies have such stunning visuals that you and we can get lost in their beauty and might totally forget to pay attention to the sound. (Yes, no kidding!)

That’s what we are here to share with you today!

Let’s dive deep into getting to know some brilliant visual storytelling movies!

Tamasha

This is an interesting tale of two strangers who fall in love with each other on a holiday in Corsica while they decide to keep their real identities hidden. Directed by Imtiaz Ali who is loved for his beautiful storytelling. It was not shot in 1 or 2 locations but 6 of them! Be it the island of Corsica or the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, the movie truly makes you wish you were there experiencing the thrill yourself!

Interstellar

It’s not possible to not mention ‘Interstellar’ when we are talking about ‘visuals’. Christopher Nolan’s direction is undoubtedly one of the most visually appealing movies of the last decade. While Elon Musk is finding a new planet for humans in real life, this movie carrying the same curiosity takes the audience on a journey to explore new planets – a new galaxy! 

Here’s the twist – the movie has been shot on real-life locations (and not an artificial set) around the world but totally traps you into believing that it’s a different planet altogether. 

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD)

Who wouldn’t love to watch 3 friends finally taking their long-awaited road trip to 3 different locations?

While the movie has a powerful message presented through great music, humor, drama, we can’t resist but fall in love with all the places they plan to visit – Costa Brava, Seville & Pamplona. Be it the deep-sea diving, la Tomatina festival, or even the serene beauty of nature shown in the song ‘Khwabon Ke Parindey’, we bet you are going to fall in love with all of them!

Life of Pi

Unless you live in some jungle or are stuck in the stone age, you would definitely know about this masterpiece!

Stories to reality through impeccable visuals of a boy with ‘A Tiger’ stuck on a ship. Not to miss, the Sea is nothing less than a massive creature that glows so stunningly throughout the film.

Hands down, this story of a young Indian boy surviving a shipwreck on a small lifeboat along with a Bengal Tiger is one of the most beautiful visually appealing movies you will ever come across!

Baahubali: The Beginning

India had never witnessed more astonishing visual effects before the movie Baahubali!

From the jaw dropping waterfall scenes to the scenic nature to intense war scenes, Baahubali managed to ace each of them.

This epic action drama directed by S.S.Rajamouli and starrer Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty & Tamannaah was the most expensive indian film ever at its time of the release.

Also, the movie that gave birth to the most asked question on the internet – why Kattappa killed Baahubali?

Avatar (2009)

Before we tell you what the movie is about, let us tell you a surprising fact! After watching Avatar, fans expressed how desperately they wanted Pandora (the alien world shown in the film) to be real!

This statement speaks for the visuals and its impact this movie left on the audience. 

At Lumina Screens, we believe that a projection screen is much more than a white cloth and these are the kind of movies that justify our belief even stronger.

This sci-fi phenomenon directed by James Cameron is the story of a marine unit on a mission to visit the world of aliens – Pandora that leaves them with some great challenges to tackle between their heart and their duty.

Parasite

Parasite garnered the much deserved attention when it premiered at 2019 Cannes Films Festival where it became the first South Korean film to win Palme d’Or.

Relatively different and the subtle visual representation of this movie to show how the Greed and Class discrimination threatens society and the relationships between the poor and the rich.

The deep and meaningful visuals show this dark side of society like no one ever could. 

Taare Zameen Par

An unconventional story of a typical Indian household where you get to dive into the world of a struggling school student who finds himself different from the kids of his age!

The way this movie manages to capture Ishan’s imagination and brings life into them through the visuals is something that will leave you awestruck every time you watch it. The amazing direction by the lead actor, Aamir Khan himself takes you through the life of a dyslexic student and his every day challenges.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Although this movie may not be on the ‘must-watch list of everyone yet it’s something that grabs your attention just with its aesthetic visuals!

A dramatic tale of how the head concierge of the hotel is blamed for the murder of a guest and how he has to prove his innocence now. This story is carried through visuals that have a unique blend of color palettes, shots captured that exactly define the characters, and a bold approach to presenting everything. 

Barfi

Can we call this beautiful film visual poetry?

It’s a movie that’s truly a treat to your eyes and will make you wonder how each scene is designed so thoughtfully. 

Coming from a director like Anurag Basu, Barfi is an effortless attempt to tell the story of Murphy and his relationship with two women, Shruti & Jhilmil.

Although intense in some scenes, it’s presented through the visuals that felt most lively!

So these were all the breathtaking movies we wanted to share with you! Do you have any such films to share with us? Let us know in the comments below!

Have you ever thought of considering ‘your eye health’ before you made that google search for finding a good smart TV for your home theatre set up?

If this was not on the top of your mind already, we urge you to read this blog post for it’s going to share some insights you may not have been aware of till now.

Looking at the title, you must be wondering what it is and how it is related to your decision to buy the projector screen or the TV you’re confused between.

Well, they are very much related and that’s exactly what this blog post intends to shed some light on.

So, let’s start with understanding how these two lights differ from each other & what kind of an impact they have on your eye health.

Emitted light

The emitted light is the light that directly hits the object for it’s been generated from the source that has its own light. To give you a simple example – The Sun.

What if we ask you to look at the Sun at 12 pm continuously for even a minute? Forget at 12 pm, you wouldn’t be able to do that at any hour of the day, would you? None of us can.

The very reason for this is ‘your eyes will hurt’ if you do so. That’s exactly what Emitted Light, generated from ‘any’ source, does to your eyes. 

It hits the targeted object when lit up. This does not leave much reflection on the surroundings and reaches the object directly. Some of the rays might hit the wall but the majority of the focus is on the space it is intended to light up without any reflection.

Now, here’s something you might be unaware of:

Blue Light, one of the emitted lights that are usually transferred through Television, is something that’s highly harmful to your eyes. Exposure to the blue light especially at night (when the viewers are most active) is one of the reasons why many people across the globe experience frequent headaches, dry and itchy eyes, lack of good quality sleep, neck-back pain, blurred vision, and such which adds to driving detrimental effects on our health like retinal cells being damaged, macular degeneration.

As per Statista Research Department, the average time Indians spend watching television is over 3 hours every day. Although social media is growing rapidly, watching television remains one of the most popular sources of entertainment across India. 

That means, 3 hours of exposing your eyes to emitted light! 

Reflected Light

Unlike emitted light, reflected light doesn’t create its own light. It simply reflects the light bouncing from another object.

That means it doesn’t fall on the object directly and rather gets scattered into a broader area.

It also doesn’t leave sharp shadows or enhance the brightness of the view but what it rather does is focus on multiple objects instead of just one.

Projector screens have reflected light. So, unlike TVs, they absorb the light first and then reflect the rest. which ensures to convert that emitted light into reflected light so that your eyes only receive the warm and gentle version of lights. 

Does this affect the visuals or the sound? Not at all. It still continues to deliver crystal clear visuals and undistorted sound to you which is, in fact, even more, immersive than what you see on a Television. In fact, due to the larger screen surface, your eyes don’t have the pressure to focus at one point continuously and rather can enjoy the comfort of a big screen.

Therefore, for your overall health and especially your eye health, you can switch to Projectors Screens (if you don’t have them already). They will keep you away from great danger by soaking a considerable ratio of those damaging wavelengths before they hit your eyes.

To conclude:

Hope we were able to help you understand emitted light vs reflected light in regards to your eye health. Based on the points we discussed today, it is safe to say that you can choose the reflected light (a projector screen over a TV) even with your eyes closed. The projectors coming out recently also have a lot of other smart features that fulfill your desire for an immersive viewing experience. 

If you’re looking to buy one, you might enjoy surfing some of the best options available in the market for home theatre projection screens here.

We hope this post helps you make an informed decision. In case any more questions pop up in your head, feel free to leave them below for us to get back to!

Emitted Light Vs Reflected Light

Looking for a home theatre screen but not sure whether you should buy a fixed projection screen or a retractable one?

We understand the confusion!

When it comes to deciding on one, there are many factors that go behind.

This article will explain the difference between the both to help you make an informed decision.

Let’s get started.

First, let’s understand what exactly the two screen types stand for.

As the name itself suggests, a Fixed Frame Projection Screen is installed in a stable set-up & is fixed on an empty wall. The creation process involves stretching the screen material onto a thick metal frame. 

On the other hand, Retractable Projection Screen is a portable screen that can be rolled into a long metal case to mount to a wall or any other support. It requires a strong built-in electric motor that is used to raise or lower the screen. 

The key differences between both types:

Size

Fixed frames are televisions that are a lot flatter, bigger & give an immersive experience that an ordinary television can’t. While the retractable screen may not be as big as they need to be moved & handled with caution while rolling and winding them up after use.

Set-up

Fixed projection screens are usually installed in a stable home theatre set up for they need a large wall/room dedicated especially to them. 

This doesn’t stand true for retractable screens as they could be wrapped up & installed anywhere anytime you want. 

Challenges

Both the screen types require installation, but in the case of fixed frames, it’s one-time and relatively easy. Retractable screens would require you to go through the installation every time you use them and keep it back. 

Full-time vs part-time availability of the wall

The above point clearly indicates one more difference between these two types. The fixed frame will demand a full-time use of the wall while with the retractable screen you can put the wall to any other use while not using the screen.

Cost

A retractable screen might add to your cost as there are multiple electrical supplies required while putting all the elements together. The mechanical elements are even required for fixed frames, but that’s just one-time fixing and hence becomes more pocket-friendly.

Popularity

Why people prefer fixed frame screens mostly is because they’re more recognised than the retractable ones. You would any day have maximum information available out there on those compared to the retractable screen.

Do retractable screens get wrinkled due to keeping them folded?

This is one of the misconceptions that exist in regards to retractable screens. There is a technique to be followed while opening and folding it back to keep it flat, clear & wrinkle-free.

Only if you don’t extend it completely, it might get wrinkles. So make sure to be careful while installing it.

Final thoughts!

If you want to avoid the back and forth constantly, go for a fixed frame without a second thought.

But, if you think you don’t need the screen to be there 24/7 & only need it occasionally, a retractable screen is what you’re looking for.

If you’re a first-time buyer and confused as to what screen would be the most suitable for your home theatre set up, you can visit here & find the best home theatre projection screen the market has to offer!

We hope this article finally helps you make that decision whether you want to go for a fixed-frame screen or a retractable one. 

Got any more questions that have not been answered yet? Put them in the comments below & our team will be happy to help!

Watching movies on the home theatre is great. But do you know what is even more amazing?

Watching those movies on a home theatre set up under the wide sky full of stars!

Yes, you guessed it right! We are talking about the outdoor home theatre setup. Is that something that has ever interested you?

We’re guessing you might be planning to set up your first outdoor home theatre setup and that’s why you’re here today!

This article will help you understand –

1. What are the things you must take care of to set up an outdoor home theatre?
2. Which equipment will make a part of the outdoor home theatre setup?

Let’s try to understand the first part with some simple yet crucial questions!

Do you have the provision for smooth electrical connectivity?

When we do the usual inside setup, this is not a big concern. But since we are talking about an outdoor setup here, make sure to double-check every connectivity channel to have easy access to the power outlets.

In case you can’t install the electrical set up outside, you can use the extension and have the electricity supply running from inside.

Is your backyard large enough?

Remember that you will have to set up all the outdoor equipment that you would have done inside the house. So, make sure the backyard or any place where you’re planning to set up the home theatre is spacious enough.

For example – you need to keep the distance of at least 15 to 20 feet between the projector and the screen. Hence, a larger space would benefit you the most.

Is the weather good?

We don’t want you to run into a nightmare where you settle down for the movie and it starts raining. That’s why it’s very important to check the climate for it will make or break the complete momentum of the event. 

Also, keeping in mind that it’s best to enjoy the movie when it’s completely dark, you can schedule the movie post-sunset or after 8 pm when it’s almost dark everywhere.

Are you choosing the place wisely?

When it comes to selecting the place for the outdoor home theatre setup, you need to be very careful with spotting any disturbances that may become a barrier in your movie night.

What could be those? Any streetlight or headlight or basically any bright & shiny light source that will reflect on the projector screen. Other than these, make sure there is no noise of neighbours, kids playing from the distance or any construction work that might be going on around. 

To not compromise with your movie experience, choose a place that is possibly free from at least 90% of these disturbances.

Is your arrangement comfortable?

Comfort > Fancy, always! Your audience could include kids, senior citizens, middle-aged people, teenagers and so on. So, keeping in mind the comfort level for everyone, you can go for chairs or lawn, whichever suits the best for your audience. 

Talking about the equipment – Can you recommend equipments.

Projector:

Being the heart and brain of your entire home theatre setup, the projector is probably the first thing you need to look into. Make sure to adjust it just at the right height and at the right distance from the screen.

Screen:

Once you set up the projector, the next step would be to get your home theatre screen in place. The home theatre screens usually come either as fixed frame or inflatable. You can use the same one that you have at home or even better, you can have a dedicated outdoor setup screen. 

After deciding the screen, you will have to figure out where you will place it at the determined location for the movie night. No matter where you place it, consider everything from where the seating will be to where is the projector installed and position the screen accordingly.

If you’re looking for a screen to provide you with the most immersive experience no matter where you make the whole set up, Lumina’s Color Pro White is what you need!

Speaker:

The better the sound, the greater the experience. After the view what matters the most is the sound. You need to have at least 2 speakers around to make sure everyone present for the movie can hear the sound clearly. 

Considering the size of the location, you can go ahead with the projector’s built-in speakers. If your group is as small as 4-5 people, you can simply use headphones.

Pro suggestion: In case you don’t want to buy any of these pieces of equipment just for a single outdoor movie night, you can opt for renting for the evening.

What will be the video source?

Whether the movie will be played through a DVD, Laptop or online through any OTT platform is what you would need to check beforehand and keep it ready while setting up the projector.

This is pretty much everything that you need to get started with your first outdoor home theatre setup. If you have any specific questions for us to answer, you know you need to put them in the comments below as always!

Entertainment…rescue… savior…what do you call them?

Yes, you got it right. We are talking about Web-series’.

Gone are the days when OTT platforms were meant to be enjoyed only by the youth on weekends.

Today, there’s something for everyone and if anything emerged as the top entertainment for people in India in the last year, it is the Indian Web Series’.

The mindblowing traction they received due to great storytelling, thought-provoking topics & epic performances by the entire star cast, has put them on top of our minds.

And for all the right reasons. 

Now, when the challenging times are back again, we thought why not recall some of the Indian web series that gave us a shot of happiness last year.

We’ve curated a special list for you to hop on and enjoy this weekend.

Here you go –

Sacred Games

Being the first web series produced by Netflix in India, it was expected to go big and when it was out, this Indian Crime Thriller just hooked the audience with its nerve-wracking storytelling.

With an epic duo of directors – Anurag Kashyap & Vikramaditya Motwane along with an equal star cast like Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Radhika Apte, Sacred Games brings the thrill that stays with you long after completing the series.

Panchayat

This Hindi Comedy Drama is a great example of how simple stories can leave a big remark on us.

Panchayat captured the real essence of the struggle of a youngster when it comes to leading life in a small village in India. Especially a youngster with ambitions, dreams, and passion.

If you’re looking for something heartwarming to watch over this weekend with your family, Panchayat will beat all the other web series on this list.

Kota Factory

Kota Factory captures what goes behind the scenes in the city, Kota (India) where lakhs of students arrive every year with dreams and hopes to crack the most difficult examinations of the country.

After watching Kota Factory, we realize how little we know about their routine struggles, extreme pressure to crack the exam & how they manage to push every single day without parents in a new city.

If you would like to witness an eye-opening story like this, Kota Factory should be your go-to web series this weekend.

Scam 1992

Scam 1992 was the ‘talk of the town’ in 2020. We’re sure you don’t need an introduction to this series that took the internet by storm.

Based on the real scam of 1992 by Harshad Mehta, this series nailed everything from Acting, Story, Music and most importantly, its Dialogues!

‘Risk hai toh ishq hai’ has become an iconic dialogue and everyone who has watched the series simply doesn’t seem to get over it!

So are you giving Scam 1992 a shot again this weekend?

The family man

Why we absolutely loved this web series is because, unlike any other action drama, The Family Man not just shows us the on-ground scenes of the drama but also how the family life of such heroes unfolds. 

If you have a knack for stories that are thrilling yet emotional, you’re in for a great time with The Family Man.

Needless to say, Manoj Bajpayee is a treat to watch, as always!

Asur

Are you looking for content that would simply blow your mind?

Look no further and get Asur started on your home theatre already.

Words would fail to discuss the emotions one goes through when they are watching Asur. A combined genre of mythological fiction and thriller, Asur is the kind of content that’s produced once in a lifetime and when it does, you must watch.

Arshad Warsi made his debut through this series being the lead role and we wonder if there could be anybody who could play this role as fantastic as he did. 

If you want to go for something ‘unconventional’ this weekend, ‘Asur’ wouldn’t disappoint you.

TVF Aspirants

You can’t help but fall in love with any content produced by this wonderful platform – TVF.

Recently released TVF Aspirants just reconfirmed this faith. 

It is a story of 3 UPSC aspirants: their journey, their struggles & their friendship!

Gather your friends and tune in to TVF Aspirants this weekend!

If you have any more suggestions for all of us, put them in the comments below!

Also, don’t forget to share this list with anyone who might be still wondering what to watch this weekend!

Done with your home theater setup?

No, not yet!

Not without the Lighting.

You might be done with the speakers, systems, screen, and everything else concerning the home theater setup.

But until you get the lighting done, the room is not ready yet.

So before you start calling your friends and relatives over for a movie marathon, let’s get this done.

The better the lighting, the better is your experience. 

Although it is recommended to decide the lighting for your home theater in the initial phase itself, it’s never too late to pay attention to this crucial part of your home theater setup.

Why do we insist so much on that ‘perfect lighting’?

The reason is simple. It sets the mood for the best viewing experience.

You might be wondering that shouldn’t your home theater room be completely dark?

Yes, but only while watching, right?

You need light while cleaning the room, adjusting the setup and all the other times when you’re yet to start the movie/show and you need the light to be able to move around.

Before you get too overwhelmed with the insights, let us promise you that it’s no rocket science. 

This article will help you understand –

• The kind of lightings you can use for your home theater setup room
• 4 things to keep in mind before you get started with the lighting set up

Let’s start.

Overhead Lighting

This one would be the ‘must have’ light in your home theater room.

Overhead lighting completely lights up the room to make everything and everyone in the room visible clearly.

This, obviously, will be used when you’re not watching something on your home theater or during the breaks.

However, due to the fact it is very bright, while watching something, it should be completely turned off or be kept at the lowest dim possible.

The overhead lighting could be any of these –

• Recessed Lighting Fixture
• Mounted Light Fixture
• Hanging Light Fixture

You can determine which one suits you the best and get the one accordingly.

Sconces

While Overhead lighting acts more as an ‘essential lighting’ for your home theater, Sconces play the role of complementary lighting.

They are not too bright, are elegant and make for a beautiful addition to a home theater room. The lighting is not direct therefore you can keep them on even while watching something on your home theater.

Sconces are the light type attached to the wall and supported by an electrical box placed behind it.

Fiber Optic Lighting

If you’re anything like us, you would have probably been in love with those stars, planets stickers our parents would stick to the roof of our bedrooms and get us that amazing experience of stargazing while lights off. Felt nostalgic?

That’s exactly what it feels like with Fiber Optic Lighting. 

It’s the star effect you must have witnessed in some high-end home theater rooms. It is created by fiber tubes attached through a machine. 

They come in many colours while black ceiling with white lighting remaining the typical choice people go with. 

So can you get these lights too?

Yes, you can. But Fiber Optic lightings are generally suggested to those who have an indented ceiling. With that structure, it works the best!

Seat-side Lamps

If you need to have some quick lighting close to where you sit, you can opt for seat side lamps installing a table on each side of the chairs in your home theater room.

These can be used as lighting to keep everything around you visible, to find remote or maybe to just see the person next to you clearly.

Being said that, if you have already installed sconces, you can do just fine even without the seat side lamps.

LED Light Strips

Apart from the lighting purpose, if you want to use something that will simultaneously give a very cool look and feel to your home theater room, then undoubtedly, it’s the LED Light Strips.

You can be absolutely creative and experimental in terms of how and where you want to use them. 

Choose the ones that don’t produce much heat and can be cut to length to place them differently for different sections. 

If we have to give you examples, the most creative ones would be where people use them on steps, risers or simply hang them on the wall where they look most fabulous and give out the soft glow.

Cove Lighting

Looking for something classy? Cove Lighting can help you with that.

These are the lighting used for giving your ceiling a soft glow and adding a pleasant light to your home theater room. 

They do not reflect any light on the screen directly so you can always have them turned on at the lowest dim and enjoy the viewing time.

Which ones amongst these would you love to use in your home theater room?

Before saying goodbye for the day, here’re our two cents to consider before you get started with your lighting –

Use LED Bulbs

They might cost you a bit extra in the beginning but trust us, they consume a lot less energy and produce less heat as compared to any other bulbs.

The best thing? They come in different colors and temperatures so you can choose the best suitable.

Block the unwanted light

This is the last thing you would want to experience in your home theater room – The unnecessary light peeking in!

If there are windows to your home theater room, block the light with blackout or thick curtains or any other measure you have to take to avoid that light.

Wall Colour

The darker the wall colour, the less light it will reflect. 

Choose colours like grey, indigo, brown or lighter shade of black for your wall to get the minimum interference of the reflections throughout your watching time.

Use different breakers for connection

Instruct your electrician to connect all the lights that you will be using with different breakers than to one circuit. 

This will help you avoid the fixture noise to break into the audio system of your home theater.

Know that these points will only keep you less involved with fixing issues later so make sure you have them in place.

That’s all for today.

Hope we could help you out in some way to get started with your lighting setup!

If you still find yourself wondering about something, feel free to reach out to us in the comments below and we would be happy to clear the confusion.